A Bound Collection of C 18th Methodist Tracts and Pamphlets, 1755 – 1780.

Octavo. 170 x 115mm. Full original calf, worn and rubbed. One clasp missing, Corner of first work torn to upper edge losing two letters. Otherwise textually very good.

A rare sammelband of Wesley related sermons, both John and Charles as well as one by John Fletcher.

1. Epistle to the Reverend Mr. John Wesley, By Charles Wesley. 1755. 16 pages. [A variant printing of this important letter, with no indefinite article in the title.]
2. A sermon on Original Sin by John Wesley M.A. 5^th 1776. 16 pages.
3. A Sermon Preached on Sunday April 4^th, 1742. Before the University of Oxford by Charles Wesley MA. 24^th 1779. 16 pages.
4. A Sermon on Salvation by Faith. 11^th 1780. 12 pages.
5. The Almost Christian. A sermon preached at Saint Mary’s Oxford before the University on July the 25^th, 1741, by John Wesley. 14^th 1778. 12 pages.
6. The Means of Grace. A sermon on Malachi iii 7. By John Wesley. 1776. 22 pages.
7. Three Sermons on the Original Nature, Properties and the Use of the Law and its Establishment thro’ Faith. By John Wesley, 1776. [first sermon: 18 pages; second sermon: 14 (32); third sermon: 11 (43 total)].
8. The Lord our Righteousness. A Sermon Preached at the Chapel in West Street, Seven- Dials on Sunday Nov 23^rd 4^th edition, 1770, 20 pages.
9. Scriptural Christianity. A Sermon Preached August 24^th, 1744, at Saint Mary’s Church in Oxford before the University by John Wesley, 1775. 24 pages.
10. The Important Question. A Sermon Preached in Taunton, Somersetshire, on Monday Sep 12^th, 1775. By John Wesley 1776. 23 pages.
11. (NB: candle scorch mark on title page). The Great Assize. A Sermon preached at the Assizes held before the honourable Sir Edward Clive, Knight, one of the judges of His Majesty’s court of common -pleas; In St Paul’s Church, Bedford: on Friday Mar10^th, 1758 by John Wesley. 3^rd edition, 1779. 23 pages.
12. The Nature of Enthusiasm. A Sermon on Acts xx vi 24, by John Wesley, 1778. 24 pages.
13. Catholick {sic} Spirit. A sermon on 2 kings x. 15. By John Wesley, 1770. 20 pages.
14. The killer of evil speaking, a sermon of Matt xviii 15,16,17. 1778. 15 pages.
15. Wandering thoughts. Sermon on 2 Cor x4. By John Wesley, 1776.12 pages.
16. A Dreadful Phenomenon … at the sudden stoppage of the river severn …. by John Fletcher, 2^nd ed 1774.71 pages.
17. Hymns written in the times of the tumults. Possibly only edition. 1780. 19 pages.

Some of these works are first editions, all separately published in their own right, and some are only recorded in single numbers at Libraries.

The work by John Fletcher describes the Buildwas ‘earthquake’ of 1773 in Shropshire (probably only a landslide) which must have been a terrifying event with changes in the physical landscape. The hillside slipped and blocked the Severn River, forcing a new channel to be cut.

Although appearing here side-by-side, John and Charles had widely differing theological viewpoints.